FBI plots arms sales --- FBI foils arms sales ---- Good Going G-men

[The Lone Liberal]

While we need to applaud the FBI effort in taking a scum bag international arms dealer out of circulation, we also need to remember that this was not some plot hatched in a cellar by a group of terrorist. This plot was hatched in J.Edgar Hoover Building, Washington DC.

So lets shout hooray for the FBI for being able to fool and bag a group who were greedy enough to want to make some big bucks selling a weapon that could have murdered hundreds and at the same time encourage them to foil a real plot along the same lines.

When the accolades for the success of this operation are over we might just ask the question of why it is that the Bush Administration is so vehemently against a UN effort to bag and restrict illegal small arms dealers. It would seem that once again our hydra headed monstrosity of a government is talking out of both sides of its many heads. If putting illegal arms dealers in the hoosegow is what the sheriff from Crawford wants, then it would follow that he would join with the UN to do just that thing.

But instead it looks like more of the Bull Shit walks because Money talks behavior.

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. But doesn * want to make the UN irrelevant any way he can?

The same reason why he is pulling out of so many international treaties is operative here as well.

[Devils Advocate NZ]

2. You miss the point...

The UN wants to put ALL illegal small arms dealers out of business, whereas Bush only wants to put the COMPETITION out of business. Standard corporate practice. Ask Bill Gates.

[BushNixon04]

3. *ahem*

That "big international arms dealer" was ALLOWED INTO THE US and then SET UP by the same undercover agents. HE NEVER WOULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE US WITHOUT THE FEDS' HELP.

The Wash. Post has buried this as a non-story for just that reason: the whole thing was just another PR stunt by Ashcroft's justice dept.

[theboss]

4. SOP at FBI

This is how most stings at the FBI work these days. They find someone of a mindset willing to break the law - but lacking the resources to do so. They put them in contact with the money and the inventory. And then arrest everyone.

In '97, I clerked on a "militia" case similar to this. Basically, the FBI tracked down some right-wing whackos who were running around in the woods with shotguns and told them that they wanted blueprints of government buildings. The whackos got the blueprints and the FBI busted them for conspiracy and bunch of other shit.

We tried to establish that the elements for entrapment leaned way to much in the government's favor. We felt there should be an element of "ability to commit the crime without government assistance." That went nowhere. Our dude refused to plea bargain and got 20 years.

It's kind of like White Supremacist Groups. There are probably more undercover FBI guys at those meetings than actual members.

The only real benefit of this I can see is that it would scare anyone considering doing something like this.

[gratuitous]

5. A grandstand ploy for the pro wrestling crowd

Not that there's anything wrong with enjoying professional wrestling, but the FBI's maneuver is of a sort to cater to the mentality that doesn't realize that the fix is in. "Wow, what a match! I really thought the Hulkster was going to go down, but that champion's heart carried him through again."

No, my dear little pinheads; the story of the "match" was written a long time ago, and Hulk was going to win from the get-go. Similarly, the schmuck the FBI collared was identified and set up a long time ago, and the whole drama was staged for public consumption just like any other TV show.

[Capn Sunshine]

6. Meanwhile the REAL bad guys continue on their merry way

"Hey, if someone comes to you and says they heard you want some illegal stuff and they can get it, just say no"

This reminds me of the Drug war tactics, another successful Govt operation.